GLAAD - Vito Russohttp://www.glaad.org/tags/vito-russo
enLGBTQ history comes to life in the classroom with Google Expeditionshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/lgbtq-history-comes-life-classroom-google-expeditions
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img height="516" width="760" class="media-element file-file-styles-750px" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2016-10/GLAAD_Tablet_2.jpg?itok=g2JaRrr3" alt="" /></p>
<p><em>Google</em></p>
<p>In celebration of National Coming Out Day,&nbsp;Google has launched a tour through New York City&#39;s&nbsp;LGBTQ&nbsp;history&nbsp;through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/"><em>Google Expeditions</em></a>, a virtual reality app that will change the way teachers are able to engage students in classroom learning. Expeditions are collections of virtual reality content&ndash;360 degree panoramas and 3D images&ndash;that are supplemented with educational annotations, discussion topics, and questions.</p>
<p>Among the existing tour locations, which include places such as Buckingham Palace and the Great Barrier Reef, is &#39;<em>Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, &amp; Transgender New York City History&#39;</em>&ndash;a tour that explores NYC landmarks that have shaped the LGBTQ movement. This tour reveals challenges the LGBTQ community has faced in fighting for civil rights and helps to ignite meaningful classroom dialogue.</p>
<p>GLAAD&#39;s New York City headquarters is one of the destinations on the NYC historical LGBTQ sites tour. This has allowed for a sharing of GLAAD&#39;s history, rooted in the existence of grossly defamatory and sensationalized reporting on HIV and AIDS in the 1980&#39;s, the important work of co-founder, Vito Russo, and a peak into GLAAD&#39;s current work, such as the GLAAD Media Awards.</p>
<p><img height="596" width="760" style="width: 760px; height: 596px; float: left; margin: 5px;" class="media-element file-file-styles-750px" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2016-10/1990groupshot_3.jpg?itok=vT40r8zG" alt="" /></p>
<p>Here are some examples of questions that follow the virtual step into GLAAD&#39;s office:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Why is it so important that media and entertainment outlets make the LGBTQ community visible and accurately depicted in their work?</em></p>
<p><em>What can GLAAD&#39;s formation tell us about the power of localized social movements and the ability for active and informed citizens to make real, lasting change?</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The app has also aided in breaking barriers surrounding the integration of LGBTQ content into school curriculums.&nbsp;The tour can also be paired with an extensive <a href="https://www.tes.com/us/teacher-lessons/history-comes-out-of-the-closet-googleexpedition-11389768">lesson plan</a> tailored for student&#39;s grades 9-12. Complete with discussion on important vocabulary and questions that promote critical thinking about the past, present, and future climate of LGBTQ rights, this educational resource is crucial for accelerating acceptance among today&#39;s youth.</p>
<p>To see the tour, download <a href="https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/#explore">Google Expeditions</a> and search LGBT New York City History.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 14, 2016</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-coming-out-day">National Coming Out Day</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/google-expeditions">Google Expeditions</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-history">LGBT History</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/nyc-history">NYC History</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt-education">LGBT Education</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-curriculum">LGBT Curriculum</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 14 Oct 2016 13:48:45 +0000mstephens88940 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/lgbtq-history-comes-life-classroom-google-expeditions#commentsFrameline to share documentary Vito with schools across the countryhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/frameline-share-documentary-vito-schools-across-country
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="367" height="557" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-11/vito.jpg?itok=B4SzfPaV" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://frameline.org/blog/2014/11/18/youth-motion-vito">Frameline&#39;s</a> LGBT education program <a href="http://frameline.org/blog/2014/09/29/youth-motion">Youth in Motion</a> has announced it will include the documentary <em>Vito</em> in its latest curricula release. Started in 2008, Youth in Motion is designed to provide schools with professionally developed curriculum based around LGBT-specific educational films that can be used in GSA meetings as well as woven into academic courses. Initially only available in California, the program expanded in 2014 and now serves 681 schools nationwide.</p>
<p><a href="http://vitorussomovie.com/">Vito </a>is a documentary about the life and work of Vito Russo. Russo was a film scholar who penned the influential book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Celluloid-Closet-Homosexuality-Movies/dp/0060961325/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1416353398&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=celluloid+closet"><em>The Celluloid Closet</em></a>, a history of how LGBT people were portrayed in film. He was also a passionate AIDS activist, a member of ACT UP and one of the original founders of GLAAD.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Vito Russo participated in every significant milestone in the gay liberation movement, and his story is the story of our community. As an activist, Vito knew that the key to acceptance was visibility and championed sympathetic and realistic depictions of our lives,&rdquo; <a href="http://frameline.org/blog/2014/11/18/youth-motion-vito">said Jeffrey Schwarz</a>, director of the documentary Vito.</p>
<p>Schwarz continued, &ldquo;Thanks to the Youth in Motion program, a new generation will learn about one of the founding fathers of the LGBT movement, and how Vito Russo helped make it possible for us to live proudly and openly in the world. Vito&#39;s message of standing up, speaking out, and living bravely in the face of adversity can inspire us all to continue the battles that he once fought.&rdquo;</p>
<p>GLAAD President &amp; CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said, &quot;Vito Russo recognized the incredible power that media has in shaping how the world sees the LGBT community. By sharing his story in this impactful film, Frameline will help ensure that Vito continues to inspire viewers for generations to come.&quot;</p>
<p>Youth in motion will provide schools with both free DVDs and curriculum guides focused on the life and work of Vito Russo starting in January 2015.&nbsp; They have also announced a new goal to reach 1,000 schools in all 50 states by June of next year.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">November 18, 2014</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/frameline">Frameline</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito">Vito</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/jeffrey-schwarz">Jeffrey Schwarz</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/celluloid-closet-0">The Celluloid Closet</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Tue, 18 Nov 2014 23:07:34 +0000canderson72836 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/frameline-share-documentary-vito-schools-across-country#commentsAIDS drops off NYC's list of top ten causes of deathhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/aids-drops-nycs-list-top-ten-causes-death
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="800" height="800" id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-03/news_vito_080712.jpg?itok=-_1A6B3f" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>For the first time since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2014/03/aids-no-longer-among-top-ten-causes-of-death-in-nyc">AIDS is no longer one of the top ten causes of death in the city</a>. Health Commissioner Mary Bassett&nbsp;said AIDS fell off the list for 2012.<br><br>This is the first time AIDS has not been on the list since 1983.<br><br>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a tribute to the efforts that have been made...in tackling this epidemic. We are seeing some success,&rdquo;&nbsp;Bassett said.<br><br><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/happy-birthday-glaad-co-founder-vito-russo">GLAAD was founded in response</a> to the New York Post&#39;s defamatory and sensationalized coverage of AIDS.&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 14, 2014</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/local-and-regional-news">Local and Regional News</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/aids">AIDS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/glaad">GLAAD</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/new-york-post-0">The New York Post</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/new-york-city">New York City</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 14 Mar 2014 13:51:35 +0000brendan70171 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/aids-drops-nycs-list-top-ten-causes-death#commentsHappy LGBT History Month from GLAADhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/happy-lgbt-history-month-glaad
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-2-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/lgbt%20history%20month%20logo.JPG?itok=IU5zuL_P" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>October is designated as <a href="http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/">LGBT History Month</a>. Although it feels like LGBT history is being made every day, it's worth noting that we have only achieved the gains we have today because of the toil and effort of those who came before us. LGBT History Month is an opportunity to look at the people, places, and moments that helped move the LGBT community forward on its path to acceptance.</p>
<p>LGBT History Month began in 1994, when <a href="http://lgbthistorymonth.com/background">Rodney Wilson</a>, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.</p>
<p>Gay and Lesbian History Month was endorsed by several leading LGBT organizations, including GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association, and other national organizations. In 2006, Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBT History Month.</p>
<p>Each year, LGBT History Month chooses 31 icons to discuss their role in LGBT history, and shares their stories, one each day. This year, icons feature people from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds, including playwright Edward Albee, transgender murder victim Gwen Araujo, Black political activist Mandy Carter, astronaut Sally Ride, actor and social media king George Takei, and GLAAD founder Vito Russo.</p>
<p>The icon for October 1 is <a href="http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/zackie-achmat">Zackie Achmat</a>, a South African LGBT advocate. Check back every day to learn more about each icon.</p>
<p><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/sites/all/themes/lgbthm/video_player/syndicated_video_player.swf"><embed height="390" src="http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/sites/all/themes/lgbthm/video_player/syndicated_video_player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480"></object></p>
<p>There is no progress without knowing history. Without these icons, and so many others, the LGBT community would not be where we are today. We also look at this history knowing how much further we have to go until LGBT people are fully accepted into society.&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 1, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/family">Family</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-history-month">LGBT History Month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/edward-albee">Edward Albee</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gwen-araujo">Gwen Araujo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mandy-carter">Mandy Carter</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sally-ride">Sally Ride</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/george-takei">George Takei</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Tue, 01 Oct 2013 15:47:32 +0000rossmurray68322 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/happy-lgbt-history-month-glaad#commentsVITO Documentary Now on DVDhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/vito-documentary-now-dvd
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="283" id="2" style="height: 283px; width: 425px;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/628x471_6.jpg?itok=ZXMgQlGj" alt="" /></p>
<p><a href="http://vitorussomovie.com/">VITO: A New Documentary by Jeffrey Schwarz</a>, an HBO documentary film about the life of gay activist Vito Russo, is <a href="http://firstrunfeatures.com/vitodvd.html">now available on DVD.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="142" id="2" style="height: 142px; width: 100px; margin: 5px; float: right;;" width="100" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/VITO-2D-TEMP.jpg?itok=hm6rkir1" alt="" />"In the aftermath of Stonewall, a newly politicized Vito Russo found his voice as a gay activist and critic of LGBT representation in the media. He went on to write "The Celluloid Closet," the first book to critique Hollywood's portrayals of gays on screen. During the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Vito became a passionate advocate for justice via the newly formed ACT UP, before his death in 1990."</p>
<p>Vito Russo was one of GLAAD's co-founders in 1985, and this film is <a href="http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/nominees">nominated for a GLAAD Media Award</a> in the Oustanding Documentary category.</p>
<p>You can learn more about the film <a href="http://vitorussomovie.com/">here </a>, purchase it <a href="http://firstrunfeatures.com/vitodvd.html">here</a> and watch the trailer below. </p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="Binary Data" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">MfETjT1YRRA</a></span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 29, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/vito">Vito</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt">Lgbt</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/act">Act Up</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:02:12 +0000christinaraquel64127 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/vito-documentary-now-dvd#commentsHBO to Debut Documentary about GLAAD Co-Founder Vito Russohttp://www.glaad.org/blog/hbo-debut-documentary-about-glaad-co-founder-vito-russo
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-3-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/NY%2BSpecial%2BScreening%2BHBO%2BVITO%2BTime%2BWarner%2Be1FmkPp_Lmol.jpg?itok=auYaepjV" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>After a successful early run on the festival circuit, <a href="http://vitorussomovie.com/"><em>Vito</em> </a>will premiere this coming Monday evening on HBO, giving millions of viewers a chance to learn about one of the 20<sup>th</sup> century’s most influential leaders. </p>
<p>Directory Jeffrey Schwarz’s film is a fascinating look at the man himself and the passions that drove his work during a tumultuous period in the LGBT community’s history. Vito Russo recognized the power the media had to shape public perception of LGBT people, not to mention its power over the way we viewed ourselves. That understanding and his love for the cinema led Russo to write <em>The Celluloid Closet</em>, which detailed how LGBT people were portrayed on the silver screen and had a tremendous impact on film studies and history. The book was later made into<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL_vrb4-6_0"> an award winning documentary</a> (that Schwarz actually worked on) that still stands as one of the best LGBT themed documentaries to this day.</p>
<p>However, it was that same recognition of the media’s influence that also led Russo<a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/happy-birthday-glaad-co-founder-vito-russo"> to cofound</a> the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation 26 years ago. In 1985, after a constant stream of articles about HIV/AIDS in the <em>New York Post </em>which dehumanized so many living with HIV/AIDS and were outrageously anti-LGBT, Vito took action and began GLAAD to begin to create a media landscape that not only fairly and accurately reported on issues, but grew acceptance and understanding. Now, every year GLAAD <a href="http://www.glaad.org/tags/vito-russo-award">bestows an award bearing his name</a> at the GLAAD Media Awards onto an openly LGBT person who has made an outstanding contribution to images of our community in the media. Russo was also a founding member of ACT UP, and a remained a major force in the movement for many years before his untimely passing in 1990.</p>
<p>In advance of its July 23<sup>rd</sup> TV premiere, Schwarz spoke with GLAAD about what led him to tell Russo’s story in the first place and examine the legacy he left behind.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>What first drew you to Vito Russo as a documentary subject?</strong></p>
<p>My first job in the movie business was working as an apprentice editor on the 1995 Peabody Award-winning HBO documentary adaptation of Vito Russo’s <em>The Celluloid Closet</em>, directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. That was where I really got to know Vito, just a few years after he passed away. Rob and Jeffrey had all of Vito's research materials, articles, videotapes, lectures and most importantly, extended interviews with Vito himself. I learned about his life as an activist within the early gay liberation movement, how he integrated his love of movies with his critique of how they represented LGBT people, and of course his personal story of the years he spent battling AIDS. In recent years I started thinking about how a new generation of LGBT youth is coming of age without knowing about pioneers like Vito Russo. Vito participated in every significant milestone in the gay liberation movement – from Stonewall to the founding of GLAAD to ACT UP – and his story is also the story of our community. A documentary could offer a personal account of how he and our community were able to help overcome homophobia and oppression, and emerge from invisibility to liberation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Much of Russo’s life work – including his cofounding of GLAAD - focused on how the media’s portrayal of the LGBT community affected both the way society viewed us and the way we viewed ourselves. How do you think the relationship between the media and the LGBT community has evolved since Russo’s time, and what role do you think the media plays in the LGBT movement today?</strong></p>
<p>As an activist, Vito knew that one of the keys of full equality and acceptance was visibility in the mainstream media. He understood the power of movies and television to convey who we are, and this was his life's work - to critique, encourage and champion fair and accurate portrayals of LGBT people. I think there's a misperception about his work sometimes, in that he was looking at images purely as "positive" or "negative" portrayals. He just wanted balance. He would have no problem with a gay villain, for example, as long as the character's homosexuality wasn't what made him so detestable. All in all, I think Vito would be very pleased with the progress we have made in LGBT visibility in the media. Of course he would never be satisfied. For every <em>Milk</em>, <em>Transamerica</em> or <em>The Kids Are All Right</em> there are still plenty of stereotypes and f*g jokes. GLAAD was originally formed to speak out against the New York Post’s horrific coverage of AIDS in the 1980s. As one of the founding members of GLAAD, Vito understood that we needed to directly confront defamation. It’s something that GLAAD successfully continues to this day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>What influence did <em>The Celluloid Closet</em> have on you as a filmmaker or as a film fan?</strong></p>
<p>Part of my coming out process in the early 90s was devouring Vito Russo's <em>The Celluloid Closet</em> and trying to see as many of the films Vito talked about as I could. That book was incredibly empowering for me personally because it fused my passion for film with my burgeoning gay identity. It made me aware of dozens of films I had never heard of before, and also allowed me to look at films I thought I knew in a different way. It showed how the dominant culture portrayed gay and lesbian people as twisted villains, pathetic victims, or easy comic relief. The book helped me understand how important it was to make films that deal with our own history. It inspired me to tell stories about queer lives, and to pass along these stories to the next generation. That’s what Vito did for me, and in my own way, I’m trying to follow in his footsteps.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Vito</em></strong><strong> is also a compelling portrait of a very critical period in LGBT history. Do you think there are any lessons LGBT people can take away from the period and events your film examines?</strong></p>
<p>There are many people in our community who probably aren’t aware of the incredible struggles and sacrifices that the men and women of Vito’s generation made, so I hope this film can help be a corrective to that problem. Vito envisioned a world in which it would be possible to live openly, to not be harassed, persecuted, and condemned. Later during the AIDS crisis, we saw how Vito and his brothers and sisters in the movement took care of each other when our enemies were practically dancing on the graves of people who were dying. Even though we’ve made enormous gains over the years, the pendulum could swing back again and we can quickly lose our freedoms. I hope the film will empower our community and help us all to remain vigilant.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>What were some of the more surprising things you learned in the process of researching and filming <em>Vito</em>?</strong></p>
<p>I had known the basic trajectory of his life through the research I'd done, but in speaking with his friends, family, and fellow activists I was able to get a much better sense of Vito has a person. He did not suffer fools, and could be critical of the gay community. He was impatient with those who would not get involved and contribute. He wanted the community to support LGBT films, but a lot of them would rather go see <em>Batman</em> for the third time. He wanted the community to become politically engaged, but found that, pre-AIDS specifically, a lot of guys thought the battle was over because they could party to their heart’s content in the gay ghettos. During the epidemic, even though he was battling the disease and had lost his partner, he fought harder than anyone. He used to say "If I can be at that demonstration, YOU can be at that demonstration." He wanted everyone to be as passionate as he was. I also found out that Vito was born on the same day as porn star Jack Wrangler, the subject of my last film, which was pretty astounding.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>What do you hope viewers will take away from the film?</strong></p>
<p>When <em>Vito</em> airs on HBO on July 23, I hope it inspires the kids finding their place in our community – to show them how he helped make it possible for us all to live proudly and openly in the world. Vito's message of standing up, speaking out, and living passionately and bravely in the face of adversity is something we can all aspire to.</p>
<p><em>Vito premieres this Monday, July 23<sup>rd</sup>, at 9pm on HBO.</em></p>
<p><object height="239" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XtEl9EaLx2M?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="239" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XtEl9EaLx2M?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425"></embed></object></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 20, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/television">Television</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito">Vito</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/jeffrey-schwarz">Jeffrey Schwarz</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hbo">HBO</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/celluloid-closet-0">The Celluloid Closet</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:35:38 +0000mattkane58661 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/hbo-debut-documentary-about-glaad-co-founder-vito-russo#commentsHappy Birthday to GLAAD Co-Founder Vito Russohttp://www.glaad.org/blog/happy-birthday-glaad-co-founder-vito-russo
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-4-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="4" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/vito.jpg?itok=DQXWSO8u" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Today GLAAD celebrates one of its co-founders: Vito Russo.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-schwarz/vito-russo-why-we-fight_b_1662657.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices ">Russo is remembered as an LGBT activist, film historian, and writer</a>. His most famous book was "The Celluloid Closet" which he gave lectures from after his film screenings across the country at colleges and cinemas. Through these lectures as apart of the GAA (Gay Activists Alliance), he related the efforts of gay and lesbian movements to the treatment of gay and lesbian characters in American and foreign films in the past. He focused on how audiences perceived these characters, and how their negative portrayals increased society's homophobia.</p>
<p>He turned this&nbsp;focus&nbsp;on film&nbsp;onto the media at large with the inception of GLAAD in 1985. GLAAD came about during the start of the AIDS outbreak and initially sought to change The New York Post's defamatory and sensationalized coverage. In 1987, after talks with The New York Times, GLAAD&nbsp;got the publication to use the word "gay" instead of harsher terms referring to gay people. Since then, GLAAD has worked with grass roots organizations, businesses, and&nbsp;publications to ensure fair and honest coverage of LGBT persons in the media.</p>
<p>Russo was also a founding member of AIDS direct action group <a href="http://www.actupny.org/">ACT&nbsp;UP</a> (AIDS Coalition to Unlesh Power) in 1987 with the mission of seeking legislation, research and&nbsp;treatment, and policies&nbsp;for people with AIDS. &nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-schwarz/vito-russo-why-we-fight_b_1662657.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices ">Russo's most famous speech: "Why We Fight"</a> was delivered at ACT&nbsp;UP demostrations in Albany, NY and Washington D.C in 1988.</p>
<blockquote><p>So, if I'm dying from anything, I'm dying from homophobia. If I'm dying from anything, I'm dying from racism. If I'm dying from anything, it's from indifference and red tape, because these are the things that are preventing an end to this crisis. If I'm dying from anything, I'm dying from Jesse Helms. If I'm dying from anything, I'm dying from the President of the United States. And, especially, if I'm dying from anything, I'm dying from the sensationalism of newspapers and magazines and television shows, which are interested in me, as a human interest story -- only as long as I'm willing to be a helpless victim, but not if I'm fighting for my life.</p>
<p>- "Why We Fight" Vito Russo</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In 1990, Russo lost his fight against AIDS due to complications from the virus. He would have been 66 today.</p>
<p>The Vito Russo Award was made in his honor for the GLAAD Media Awards and <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/video-bernadette-peters-presents-vito-russo-award-craig-zadan-neil-meron-glaadawards-nyc">was recently accepted by film, television, and theater producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron at the GLAAD Awards in NYC this past March. </a></p>
<p>Michael Schiavi has written a book about Vito Russo in his biography <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/biographer-glaad-founding-member-vito-russo-speaks-glaad-upcoming-appearance">"Celluloid Activist: The Life and Times of Vito Russo"</a></p>
<p>HBO has aired two documentaries celebrating his life and his work since. 1996's "The Celluloid Closet" after his book, and&nbsp;was&nbsp;co-executive produced and narrated by actress Lily Tomlin. Another documentary <a href="http://www.vitorussomovie.com/">"Vito"</a>&nbsp;directed by Jeffrey Schwartz, premiered last month in June.</p>
<p>Today we&nbsp;remember and acknowledge&nbsp;all of Vito's hardwork&nbsp;beginning from&nbsp;the very start of the gay rights movement&nbsp;after the Stonewall Riots&nbsp;in 1969. For 20 years Vito worked with other activists to ensure equal rights for LGBT people in the media, a mission we at GLAAD&nbsp;still strive for today.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 11, 2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/glaad">GLAAD</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/act">Act Up</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/birthday">birthday</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/aids">AIDS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/activism">activism</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:07:33 +0000peterkaiser58532 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/happy-birthday-glaad-co-founder-vito-russo#commentsOutfest Releases 2012 Summer Lineuphttp://www.glaad.org/blog/outfest-releases-2012-summer-lineup
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-5-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="5" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/vito-larger.jpg?itok=Z3Sucloe" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The schedule for Outfest 2012 was released yesterday, showcasing highlights to look out for both in Los Angeles and other LGBT film festivals going on around the country over the course of the year. This marks the 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of LA’s Gay &amp; Lesbian Film Festival, which remains one of the largest and most influential in the world.</p>
<p>Opening the film festival will be the new documentary, <a href="http://vitorussomovie.com/"><strong><em>Vito</em></strong></a>, which chronicles the life and advocacy of GLAAD-cofounder and <em>Celluloid Closet</em> author Vito Russo. Truly one of the movement’s most influential champions, former film student Russo recognized how crucial stories and the media were to the way that society viewed the LGBT community and ultimately treated us. His writing helped define a new era of study and activism that continues to this day. Jeffrey Schwarz’ film lovingly examines what inspired Russo to take on the roles he did, and the tricky waters he had to navigate during one of the most volatile periods in our community’s history. The screening will be preceded by the bestowing of Outfest’s 16<sup>th</sup> Annual Achievement Award on legendary director <strong>John Waters</strong>.</p>
<p>Other festival gala highlights include Ira Sach’s elegant and poignant film <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/keep-lights-and-call-me-kuchu-receive-teddy-awards-berlin-film-fest"><strong><em>Keep the Lights On</em></strong></a>, which will play as the fest’s dramatic centerpiece, and the electrifying coming-of-age drama <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EUjaSmBj28"><strong><em>Young &amp; Wild</em></strong></a> (trailer NSFW) from Chilean director Marialy Rivas, which will serve as the international centerpiece. A perfect companion to <em>Vito</em>, the powerful and emotional ACT UP documentary <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-wrap-albert-nobbs-back-theaters-big-names-join-normal-heart-and-kill-your-darlings-and"><strong><em>How to Survive a Plague</em></strong></a> will be the documentary centerpiece, while Outfest’s Fusion program will be well represented by the Los Angeles set teen drama<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUaDJ5omP3Y"> <strong><em>Mosquita Y Mari</em></strong></a>. Rounding out the fest on closing night will be Chris Colfer’s highly anticipated screenwriting debut, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-wrap-lightning-strikes-colfer-and-tomlins-tv-return"><strong><em>Struck By Lighting</em></strong></a>, which sees him portraying a somewhat devious teen that blackmails his classmates into contributing to his literary magazine.</p>
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<p>There are also a number of standouts among the dozens of other films playing at the fest that shouldn’t be missed. Travis Fine’s <a href="http://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/any_day_now-film39749.html#.T85DobBYtj0"><strong><em>Any Day Now</em></strong></a> chronicles the legal struggles of a 1970’s gay couple (Alan Cumming and Garret Dillahunt) when they attempt to adopt a boy with down’s syndrome before he falls through the institutional cracks. Partially based on a true story and from a screenplay that spent 40 years in limbo, this moving film is even more remarkable for how it addresses the issues and prejudices many LGBT families still face today.</p>
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<p>An Asian-American family comes to terms with the truth about the son who passed away in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxa1fdSybQ"><strong><em>White Frog</em></strong></a>, starring Joan Chen, B.D. Wong, and <em>Glee</em>’s Harry Shum Jr. Oscar winners Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker star as an elderly lesbian couple who embark on a road trip to get married in Canada married in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oATCC6QrTKo"><strong><em>Cloudburst</em></strong></a>. An engaged woman finds her life plan challenged when she falls for her fiancé’s sister in the charming Swedish film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1859522/"><strong><em>Kiss Me</em></strong></a>. The misery of the closet is never more apparent than in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJyV6DtLNEA"><strong><em>Beauty</em></strong></a>, a wonderfully studied and ultimately disturbing story of a South African man whose double life unravels after he becomes obsessed with his daughter’s boyfriend. And the life and work of Bishop Gene Robinson is examined in the deceptively powerful <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cok14B7Knps"><strong><em>Love Free or Die</em></strong></a> from director Macky Alston.</p>
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<p>And those are just among the films we’ve seen or anticipated. Half the fun of attending your local LGBT film festival are the unexpected gems you discover when giving first run features a chance, so be sure to keep an eye on what might be coming through your city or state. In the meantime, Southern California residents (and prospective visitors) can <a href="http://www.outfest.org/fest2012/">see the full Outfest lineup, download a program book, and buy tickets here</a>. You can check out trailers for the films by clicking on the links above. Outfest runs from July 12-22.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 5, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/outfest">Outfest</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt-film">LGBT film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/keep-lights">Keep the Lights On</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/struck-lightning">Struck by Lightning</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/john-waters">John Waters</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cloudburst">Cloudburst</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mosquita-y-mari">Mosquita Y Mari</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/how-survive-plague">How To Survive A Plague</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:44:01 +0000mattkane55419 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/outfest-releases-2012-summer-lineup#commentsRicky Martin dedicates honor to Chilean hate crime victim at the #glaadawardshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/ricky-martin-dedicates-honor-chilean-hate-crime-victim-glaadawards
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="164" id="3" style="float: right; width: 285px; height: 164px;" width="285" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/1%20STAGE%20-%20RICKY%20small.jpg?itok=Ox-8P0iW" alt="" />Latin pop sensation Ricky Martin responded to his GLAAD Media Award nod in the Outstanding Music Artist (Spanish-language) category by dedicating the honor to Chilean hate crime victim, Daniel Zamudio. Zamudio, 24, was brutally attacked because of his sexual orientation and left in a coma earlier this month. His assailants drew a swastika on Zamudio’s chest before leaving him for dead.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Last night I won a @<a href="https://twitter.com/Glaad">Glaad</a> award! I am honored and thankful and would like to dedicate it to <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523DanielZamudio">#DanielZamudio</a> and his family <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Chile">#Chile</a></p>
<p>— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) <a data-datetime="2012-03-26T01:48:39+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/ricky_martin/status/184094483657392128">March 26, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Anoche gane 1premio muy importante.Un @<a href="https://twitter.com/Gladd">Gladd</a> Award!Que honor!Muy agradecido. Me gustaria dedicarselo <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523DanielZamudio">#DanielZamudio</a> y su familia! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Chile">#Chile</a></p>
<p>— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) <a data-datetime="2012-03-26T02:05:18+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/ricky_martin/status/184098671284076544">March 26, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p>In 2011, Martin was honored with the Vito Russo Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York. The Vito Russo Award is presented annually to an LGBT professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality. Watch video of Martin’s remarks below.</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jMQfWkP0lco" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>The <a href="../../mediaawards">23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards</a> in New York were hosted by Glee co-stars Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera, who, along with John Stamos, auctioned off kisses to three lucky attendees. Check out the video of the auction below.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="Binary Data" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">mLVkV01m8ik</a></span></p>
<p>For a complete list of winners, <a href="../../blog/dancing-stars-oprah-lady-gaga-among-glaad-media-award-recipients-new-york" target="_blank">click here</a>. Check out <a href="http://glaad.org/photos">pictures of the event</a>:</p>
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<p>On April 21 Valerie Bertinelli, Ellen DeGeneres, Fran Drescher, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Josh Hutcherson, Ali Larter, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, Gilles Marini, Anna Paquin, Molly Shannon, Kim Wayans and Betty White will voice their support for equality by attending the <a href="../../blog/blog/blog/mediaawards/losangeles" target="_blank">GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles</a>. On June 2, another <em>Glee</em> star, Dianna Agron, will be taking center stage by hosting the <a href="../../blog/blog/blog/mediaawards/sanfrancisco" target="_blank">GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco</a>. For ticket information, <a href="../../blog/blog/blog/mediaawards/tickets" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p>
<p>The 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York were presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and presented locally in New York by Delta Air Lines and Prudential. Delta Air Lines is the local presenting partner in Los Angeles. Southwest is the local presenting partner of San Francisco.</p>
<p>Support GLAAD's culture-changing work today- <a href="../../mediaawards/pledge">learn how</a>! And remember to like GLAAD on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/glaad">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/glaad">Twitter</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 26, 2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ricky-martin">Ricky Martin</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/glaad-media-awards">GLAAD Media Awards</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:27:31 +0000Seth49351 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/ricky-martin-dedicates-honor-chilean-hate-crime-victim-glaadawards#commentsMajor League Baseball Sponsors Youth at the GLAAD Media Awardshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/major-league-baseball-sponsors-youth-glaad-media-awards
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/gma-414_0.jpg?itok=ak6OI8PG" alt="" /></p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="200" id="3" style="float: right; width: 248px; height: 200px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" width="248" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/Youth.jpg?itok=P4kS45RK" alt="" />Actress Dakota Fanning will introduce the Young Adults @ the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, it was announced today. Major League Baseball and Madison Square Garden -- the Rockettes Company are among the <a href="http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/23/partners">sponsors </a>of this year's program, <a href="http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2012/03/14/major-league-baseball-sponsors-glaad-awards/">as reported by OutSports.</a></p>
<p><a href="../../mediaawards">For a list of nominees and ticket information, click here.</a></p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="2" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: left; width: 193px; height: 99px;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/mlb-logo.gif?itok=klcT4w3e" alt="" />Now in its sixth year, Young Adults @ the GLAAD Media Awards brings together hundreds of youth ages 14-21 from local high schools, LGBT groups, and collegiate GSAs, to attend the GLAAD Media Awards, as well as participate in a special Pre-Reception &amp; Advocacy Fair and hear from local leaders at their very own Young Adults After Party.</p>
<p>Participants in the program also get to meet various celebrities attending the GLAAD Media Awards, and chat with them about equality and the power of media.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="3" style="float: right;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/gma_corymonteith_1.jpg?itok=KGc5NGIP" alt="" /><img class="media-image" id="3" style="float: right;" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/naya_1.jpg?itok=WzfTtAic" alt="" />‘Glee’ stars Naya Rivera and Cory Monteith will host the evening which benefits GLAAD’s work to share stories that build support for equality.</p>
<p><a href="../../win">Enter for a chance to win your tickets here.</a></p>
<p>Broadway legend Bernadette Peters and television star John Stamos will present film, television, and theater producers <a href="../../blog/facebook-stars-glee-and-smash-betty-white-josh-hutcherson-jersey-shores-vinny-and-more-appear">Craig Zadan and Neil Meron</a> with the Vito Russo Award. And Weinstein Company Co-Chairman and outspoken anti-bullying advocate Harvey Weinstein will present a Special Recognition Award to high school student <a href="../../blog/harvey-weinstein-present-special-recognition-award-katy-butler-glaad-media-awards-new-york">Katy Butler</a>.</p>
<p>Other special guests include Ted Allen, Laverne Cox, Tracey Gold, Vinny Guadagnino, Megan Hilty, Isis King, Carson Kressley, Padma Lakshmi, Jay Manuel, Thomas Roberts, Russell Simmons, Kim Wayans, Johnny Weir, and Wendy Williams.</p>
<p><a href="../../mediaawards">The GLAAD Media Awards</a> recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives.</p>
<p>Underwriters of the Young Adults @ the GLAAD Media Awards include Bridgestone Americas, Billie Jean King, Cirque du Soleil, Bishop Gene Robinson, Dorsey &amp; Whitney LLP, Steve Tisch, and Tom Ford &amp; Richard Buckley. Edison International will present the Young Adults Program @ the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 20, 2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/glaad-media-awards">GLAAD Media Awards</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/dakota-fanning">Dakota Fanning</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/young-adults">Young Adults</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:49:12 +0000Seth49281 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/major-league-baseball-sponsors-youth-glaad-media-awards#commentsBiographer of GLAAD Founding Member Vito Russo Speaks with GLAAD on Upcoming Appearancehttp://www.glaad.org/blog/biographer-glaad-founding-member-vito-russo-speaks-glaad-upcoming-appearance
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><P>In <EM>Celluloid Activist: The Life and Times of Vito Russo</EM>, author Michael Schiavi explores the life of one of GLAAD’s founders and a visionary advocate for LGBT equality. &nbsp;Join the author at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in NYC this Tuesday, January 10, where he will speak and show archival footage. Check out the <A href="http://www.gaycenter.org/node/7327" target=_blank>Center’s website</A> for more information on the event.<BR><BR><img class="media-image" id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Celluloid%20Activist%20Cover.jpg?itok=6RrMNAgU" alt="" /><BR><BR>Russo was an outspoken advocate and author of <EM>The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies,</EM> and as the <A href="http://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/4731.htm" target=_blank>publisher states</A>, “Russo was much more than a pioneering journalist and author. A founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and cofounder of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), Russo lived at the center of the most important gay cultural turning points in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. His life as a cultural Zelig intersects a crucial period of social change, and in some ways his story becomes the story of a developing gay revolution in America.”<BR><BR>To celebrate the continuation of Russo’s groundbreaking work, each year the <A href="mediaawards/23" target=_blank>GLAAD Media Awards</A> honors an individual with the Vito Russo Award. The award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community. &nbsp;Previous honorees include Ricky Martin, Rosie O'Donnell, Alan Cumming, Cynthia Nixon, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones, Elton John, Liz Smith, k.d. lang, David LaChapelle, Brian Graden, and Tom Ford. <A href="2011/03/21/video-ricky-martin-accepts-the-vito-russo-award-at-the-glaad-media-awards-in-new-york" target=_blank>Check out this video</A> of Ricky Martin accepting the 2010 Vito Russo Award.<BR><BR>In speaking with author Michael Schiavi, it becomes clear early on why it is more important now than ever to tell Vito Russo’s story. Truthfully, as Schiavi points out, “Much has changed in gay politics and culture since Vito died in 1990.” He illustrates the challenges facing the LGBT community today including bullying, employment discrimination and the struggle for marriage equality and says, “Vito’s message of gay pride matters now more than ever. He devoted his life to tracking fair LGBT representation in popular culture. That’s still the most important step toward our integration as full members of society.”<BR><BR>When asked about the impact of Russo’s story for today’s equality advocates, Schiavi says,“[M]ore than anything, I hope my book shows how his work absolutely laid the groundwork for what we enjoy today.&nbsp; If Hollywood belatedly began to take us seriously as a community, it did so because thirty years ago, Vito Russo was screaming his head off about how grotesque it was that our every popular image was that of a victim, villain…or clown.”<BR><BR>Certainly when we think about Russo’s legacy in terms of LGBT people and issues in the media, his efforts remain valid today. “The need to come out of the closet never goes away.&nbsp; The need to stand up for our rights never goes away,” Schiavi says, “The need to monitor our popular media representation has yet to go away; homophobia still oozes from practically every mainstream ‘buddy’ film… Vito showed us how to respond to homophobia with fire and guts--and why doing so saves our lives.”<BR><BR>And in speaking about Russo’s impact on his own life, Schiavi shares, “I see myself as a rabid fan of the next gay generation.&nbsp; I've been fascinated by Vito since I was a closeted, terrified college freshman.&nbsp; I discovered <EM>THE CELLULOID CLOSET</EM> when I was 17.&nbsp; To this day it's one of my life's great regrets that I never got to meet Vito.&nbsp; His defiant naming of pop-culture homophobia had everything to do with my coming out when I did, realizing that being gay was not only who I was but that it also linked me with an activist history that I found overwhelmingly inspiring.&nbsp; It goes without saying that I had to discover that history on my own; certainly it was never mentioned in my high-school or college classes.&nbsp; All these years later, to end up Vito's biographer--well, I think in a parallel universe, my queer 17-year-old self can't stop grinning.”<BR><BR>For those of you in New York on January 10, <A href="http://www.gaycenter.org/node/7327" target=_blank>check out his talk at the Center.</A> To learn more about Russo’s story, look for more information on <EM>Celluloid Activist: The Life and Times of Vito Russo</EM> through the <A href="http://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/4731.htm" target=_blank>University of Wisconsin Press</A> or find it online <A href="http://www.amazon.com/Celluloid-Activist-Life-Times-Russo/dp/0299282309/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1315914393&amp;sr=8-1" target=_blank>here</A>.<BR>&nbsp;</P></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">January 6, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/local-and-regional-news">Local and Regional News</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lesbian-0">The Lesbian</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/gay">gay</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bisexual-and-transgender-community-center">Bisexual and Transgender Community Center</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/glaad-media-awards">GLAAD Media Awards</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/michael-schiavi">Michael Schiavi</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ricky-martin">Ricky Martin</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt">Lgbt</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:22:12 +0000elanastone46737 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/biographer-glaad-founding-member-vito-russo-speaks-glaad-upcoming-appearance#commentsGLAAD Celebrates LGBT Advocate Vito Russo on his 65th Birthdayhttp://www.glaad.org/2011/07/11/glaad-celebrates-lgbt-advocate-vito-russo-on-his-65th-birthday
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vito-russo.bmp"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-39800" title="Vito Russo (Courtesy of Charles Russo)" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vito-russo.bmp" alt="" width="302" height="202" /></a>Though <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/06/26/marching-onward/">LGBT Pride month</a> and the <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/06/28/42-years-later-lgbt-americans-remember-the-impact-of-the-stonewall-riots-more-than-ever/">anniversary of the Stonewall Riots</a> have come and gone for this year, there is still plenty of history left to celebrate. Today marks the 65<sup>th</sup> Birthday of a true pioneer in the movement towards LGBT equality, Vito Russo. </p>
<!--more--><p>Born in 1946 and raised in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, Russo <a href="http://chelseanow.com/articles/2011/04/07/gay_city_news/editors_latest/doc4d93984741353464126782.txt">became active with gay advocacy organizations</a> in New York just as they began gathering momentum in the late 1960s. He joined the <a href="http://microformguides.gale.com/Data/Introductions/20240FM.htm">Gay Activists Alliance</a> (GAA) and worked mostly as a free-lance writer, submitting essays and interviews to <em>The Village Voice</em>, <em>New York Magazine</em>, <em>Rolling Stone</em>, and <em>The Advocate</em>. Combining his commitment to equality with a lifelong love of cinema, Russo developed a series of film and lecture presentations discussing portrayals of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters in film. Entitled “The Celluloid Closet,” these ever-changing presentations were given by Russo at universities, museums and film festivals around the world, and later inspired a <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/The-Celluloid-Closet-Vito-Russo?isbn=9780060961329&amp;HCHP=TB_The+Celluloid+Closet">book</a> and a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112651/">documentary film</a> of the same name.</p>
<p>Russo was a founding member of two important advocacy organizations that remain influential in the LGBT community today: the <a href="http://www.actupny.org/">AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power</a> (ACT UP) and the <a href="http://www.glaad.org/">Gay &amp; Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation</a> (GLAAD). At ACT UP, Russo put his fiery outspokenness to use as <a href="http://www.actupny.org/documents/whfight.html">an impassioned orator</a> at rallies and demonstrations, raising awareness of the crises affecting him and those he loved. Through his work at GLAAD, Russo took the convictions he expressed in “The Celluloid Closet” and applied them practically, to ensure that media representations of LGBT people and people living with HIV/AIDS were fair and accurate. Like many advocates of his time, Russo’s life was ended far too soon by complications related to AIDS. He died on November 1, 1990, at 41 years old.</p>
<p>The legacy of Vito Russo is ever present in our minds at GLAAD. At the annual GLAAD Media Awards, we honor his memory by <a href="http://glaadblog.org/2011/03/21/video-ricky-martin-accepts-the-vito-russo-award-at-the-glaad-media-awards-in-new-york/">presenting an award</a> in his name to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community. GLAAD encourages our readers to learn more about the life and work of Vito Russo through the various resources available. The biography <em><a href="http://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/4731.htm">Celluloid Activist: The Life and Times of Vito Russo</a></em>, written by Michael Schiavo, draws on archival materials from Russo’s life, as well as conversations with his family and friends. The forthcoming documentary <em><a href="http://vitorussomovie.com/">Activist: The Times of Vito Russo</a></em> by Jeffrey Schwarz includes interviews with Russo himself and with those close to him. Though it has been nearly 30 years since its original publication, <em><a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/The-Celluloid-Closet-Vito-Russo?isbn=9780060961329&amp;HCHP=TB_The+Celluloid+Closet">The Celluloid Closet</a></em> and the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112651/">documentary film</a> it subsequently inspired are still groundbreaking in their exploration of LGBT representation in the media. Russo’s personal records, including journals, correspondence, and other materials <a href="http://legacy.www.nypl.org/research/chss/spe/rbk/faids/russo.pdf">are held by the New York Public Library</a>. As GLAAD commemorates its 25<sup>th</sup> year as an advocacy organization, we continue to honor Vito Russo and are extremely grateful for the influence that his incredible commitment to LGBT equality continues to have for the movement.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 11, 2011</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/celluloid-closet">Celluloid Closet</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/glaad">GLAAD</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/glaad-media-awards">GLAAD Media Awards</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/vito-russo">Vito Russo</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:20:20 +0000daniheffernan34098 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2011/07/11/glaad-celebrates-lgbt-advocate-vito-russo-on-his-65th-birthday#comments